Perry on ‘liberal’ pundits: ‘That dog won’t hunt’

Gov. Rick Perry came home to a warm – let’s say hot – welcome after his first week of presidential campaigning and exhorted Texans to defend the state of the state.

“When the liberal pundits — when they start trashing Texas to score some political points, I want you all just to stand up and say, ‘That dog won’t hunt,’” said Perry, who consistently touts the state’s job creation record under his leadership in the face of critics who note such dark spots as Texas leading the nation in the percentage of people without health insurance. “Texas has been the engine of job growth, and I am mighty proud of it.”

Perry was quite literally sweating it out before the home crowd not because the reception was anything but enthusiastic but because it was on an enclosed deck at Abel’s on the Lake and the fans weren’t quite denting the heat through the glass panes.

“It is good to be back home, even if it is in this sauna,” said Perry.

His wife, Anita, also mentioned the temperature when she introduced him: “Let’s talk warm. Thank you all for being here and sweating. We have been sweating for you all week.”

She added that on the campaign trail, “People would pull me aside and say, ‘Thank you for letting him run.’”

Perry gave a version of his stump speech, saying, “I am running to get America working again.”

“It’s time for a change,” he said. “And when I say change, I’m not talking about the rhetoric of change. I’m talking about the record of change.”

Perry wound down the stairs and all through the restaurant, wiping his face with a handkerchief as he left the hot room (did we mention it was hot?) and proceeding to shake hands, pose for photographs, sign autographs and accept hugs.

Media trailed him the whole way but he didn’t stop for questions, instead heading quickly to his black SUV and pulling away. He rolled down the window, blew a kiss and waved to reporters as he went.